Wildfire Management Branch - Fort Nelson Fire Zone NIFAC - Northern Initial Fire Attack Crew

Fire Danger Ratings

Forest Use Restictions

During spells of hot, dry weather, the danger of wildfires becomes high. At such times the BC Forest Service may impose forest use restrictions to assist in fire prevention and to protect life and property as well as forests and range lands. These restrictions are applied in order to limit the risk of forest fires in accordance with the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

The BC Forest Service can issue three types of restriction orders:

OPEN FIRE RESTRICTION ORDER
Affects open fires for cooking, warmth, and ceremony (campfires), as well as fires for the disposal of waste. These orders do not affect travel in the woods. The use of propane stoves, stoves using briquettes and approved supervised campsite fireplaces are permitted.

TRAVEL RESTRICTION ORDER
All woods travel is restricted either totally or within specified time limits each day. Residents can travel to and from their homes. Written exceptions can be issued for operations or activities which would not cause fire starts.

FOREST USE RESTRICTION ORDER
In a major emergency, all forest use may be prohibited. This action protects the public from actual or potential fire, or during fire suppression operations. Residents can still travel to and from their homes. This order is placed by a designated official in the appropriate Fire Centre, in consultation with district and regional managers, and is signed by the Minister of Forests.

Orders which can restrict the recreation or work activities of people in the forests are only applied after serious consideration is given to the fire hazard and risks. The orders must also be rescinded when no longer necessary.

Information about restrictions is issued to the media and posted in all BC Forest Service and tourist offices. Television, radio and newspaper media give extensive coverage to restrictions. In 1996 BC Forest Service created a toll-free Wildfire Information line for updates on wildfire locations, campfire restrictions, smoke advisory and wildfire hazard. The number to call for fire information is 1-888-3FOREST (336-7378).